Posted by on 1/11/2020 to
Let's Talk: Aromatherapy
Essential Oils for Stress Relief
So let's talk essential oils for stress relief. There are what seems to be hundreds of different essential oil blends these days all ranging in needs. With many people choosing all natural products nowadays and staying away from harsh chemicals that even many top brands include in there products, I think it's important to discuss the role essential oils have in stress relief. Even candle lovers out there are cognizant of potential harmful ingredients used in some of them that can be released into the air, making Aromatherapy a way of choice because of it's all natural nature.
The concept of Aromatherapy is the idea that when you inhale the scents of essential oils through mediums like a diffuser, that the scents stimulate certain receptors. These receptors are located in your nasal passage which then communicates to your nervous system, according to Healthline.com. These oils can play with our emotional senses in a positive manner. Many blends are used heavily in activities such as Yoga or Meditation, and there are even oils used more heavily in certain parts of the day, or based just how a person is felling at a given moment. Considering the fast paced world we live in, stress and the effects of stress on many people and there daily lives has become a vital issue to discuss going forward for the health and wellness of all individuals.
Let's discuss 3 of the most used and popular essential oils for stress relief and how you can add them to your daily routine to help try and manage your stress more effectively:
Lavender Essential Oil:
I can't imagine there is a more popular scent then lavender and more well known essential oil for stress relief, so it's vital that we include this one. According to NIH.gov and an article published by Evidence-Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine there is evidence that suggests lavender oil may be an effective medicament in the treatment of certain neurological disorders. (Read the Study here).
Lavender can be used in bath salts, tub teas, message blends, bath bombs, diffusers and many others. Please make sure to research best practices for mixing and always follow manufactures directions for mixing when using a diffuser when/if applying to skin. Our second favorite essential oil for stress relief is:
Lemongrass Essential Oil:
Like lavender, lemongrass essential oils can be used in a multitude of ways. Lemongrass has also shown an ability to help relieve stress in individuals. One study published in reference to the Physiological and Psychological Effect of Lemongrass and Sweet Almond Oil, concluded that they helped to lower diastolic blood pressures in participants of the study whom of which received one of the 3 forms of massages once a week for 3 weeks as opposed to diastolic pressures of the control group.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil:
This is another one of the essential oils that many people have turned to for calming or stress relieving benefits. Ylang Ylang is said to have effects on reducing heart rate, blood pressure as well as improving overall mood.
It's important to note that the FDA is not involved with the regulation of essential oils so it is important to have a basic understanding of how to use these products effectively and safely. It is also important to note that the effects of these oils will vary from person to person, and one should always consult your primary care doctor if you suffer from anxiety or stress, as essential oils alone may not be the method of choice.